Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus

What’s your background, in a few sentences?

I actually was born in Cambridge and grew up outside Boston, where I currently live. It’s my favorite city in the US and where I met my husband in 1983 – we’ve been together a LONG time!  Many years ago I did an MBA and PhD and spent about 30 years in management consulting. At one point I did some volunteer work with an NGO in Ethiopia and discovered the world of global health, and it literally changed my life.

What brought you to Harvard and what did you study?

I wanted to learn more about global health so at the ripe old age of 55 I left consulting and entered the MPH program at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. It was a truly transformative year for me.  After I graduated in 2011 I was asked to teach a course and one thing led to another, and I have been at Harvard Chan for 15 years. Being in academia was something I had never even considered, but the students are amazing and the work they do is literally saving lives and changing the world.

Where are you now in your career?

I had a great first career in consulting and then an amazing second career at Harvard Chan, and I am getting ready to wind down.  I can’t say I’ll ever retire because I’ll always be busy with something, but it’s time to let the younger generations take over.

Why did you join the HGSC Board?

Visibility and representation are critical for the LGBTQ+ community and the members of HGSC have an opportunity to create much-needed change. We need to be at the table and involved in making decisions in all sectors at all levels around the world. Harvard alums are in a very privileged position and are especially well-positioned to do this. 

I would encourage every HGSC member to consider joining a board as part of their career development. It can be with a start-up, a corporation, a community group or alumni association – but it is really important for each of us to be visible and to be part of the decision-making process.

What are you excited for in 2026?

HGSC just launched its first formal mentoring program and the response has been great to see. This was one of the key reasons I wanted to join the board and is something that we should all be proud of.

What’s one experience you miss most from your Harvard days?

I used to have an 8 am class (which is cruel and unusual punishment) and I loved the strong coffee and oatmeal at Harvard Chan – especially in the winter. But I never want another 8 am class!

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